TITANS HEAD COACH KEN WHISENHUNT PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT - September 24, 2015
(on how the home crowd can help the defense)
Well, just like it hurt us last week when we played in Cleveland. It's harder for the offense to operate when you have to deal with the noise because just like anything, communication is a big part of it. Being able to communicate any adjustments you make at the line, to change plays, change protections, even the snap count. Just the mechanics of going through the snap count in the noise makes it more difficult. That's a big part of how it can help you.
(on if playing at home will be advantageous given changes to offensive line)
No question, that helps us a lot. It's easier for us to operate that way, easier to communicate. It's more comfortable, and when you're going against a good opponent, anything can help.
(on if it is good that players are fired up by the Colts' win streak when playing the Titans)
Sure, if they play well. Whatever it takes for us to play well is what we want to do. I've said a number of times, we've got to show you we can do that. This is a good opportunity for us to show we've made improvements and that we can play well at home, so that's what we're looking to do.
(on if he can gauge how long it typically takes for a rookie quarterback to feel comfortable going up against an NFL defense)
No, I don't think so. I mean, everybody is different. A lot of it depends on who you've got around you, how long they've been playing together. It makes it even a little bit more difficult when you've got a rookie tackle, a rookie fullback, young receivers. You've got new guys on the line. There are a lot of things that make it even more difficult, but we're working at it. We've done some good things. We're running the football better. We're a pretty good third-down team. Everybody wants to focus on the sacks and the pressure on the quarterback, which obviously isn't what we want, but in six quarters, we've done a lot of good things too, and that's what we want to focus on.
(on if Marcus Mariota has taken to the NFL quickly)
Yeah, he's doing a nice job. He's progressing very well. I think that as he gets comfortable with things, he seems to do well with them. This whole process, going against NFL defenses from the preseason to the regular season, it's an adjustment. Every time he's on the field, every time he gets more reps, he gets better, and that's exciting.
(on if there is a difference between a bad throw and a stupid throw)
Some stupid throws you get away with, some bad throws you get away with. I guess it all depends on how you look at it. I've seen guys make the wrong decision and it turns out to be a touchdown, so every play, everything is different. We work hard to not do either one of those, but sometimes they happen.
(on if he has considered any of Marcus Mariota's throws, so far, a bad throw)
I'll be honest with you, I don't even think about it that way. So I couldn't think about it. I'm sure that there have been some, but maybe I've blocked those out, moved on, I don't know.
(on if Marcus Mariota's poise is as valuable as his skill set)
I would say that maybe that helps him. He's very level-headed, very even-keeled. When things don't go great, don't go the way you want them to, he handles that very well. I think the team sees that and they respond to that. Everybody handles it different ways. There's no magic formula that says this is going to be successful. I think ultimately, it comes down to what you do and what the guys around you do. But, with that being said, he sure has shown a lot that leads you to believe that he's going to be a good one.
(on if poise is common among great quarterbacks)
Probably, I've probably seen some guys. Once again, everybody's got different ways of handling it. It's a tough game. There's a lot of pressure and everybody handles it in different ways. The one thing that I think I've seen that's common with those guys is that they're all really competitive. That's one that really stands out to me.
